Information recording medium, information recording device and method, information reproduction device and method, information recording/reproduction device and method, computer program, and data structure

Abstract

In an information recording medium, the position of each bit in the bit arrangement (800b) consisting of a plurality of bits is related to each channel corresponding to the position of each speaker in the speaker arrangement (800a) consisting of a plurality of speakers. By the value of each bit, the channel assignment information (800I) is recorded to indicate whether audio data of a corresponding channel is present. Moreover, a plurality of audio data whose presence is indicated by the channel assignment information is recorded for each channel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to information record media such as optical discs relating to recording or reproducing multi-channel audio data, relates to information record apparatuses and methods, relates to information reproduction apparatuses and methods, relates to information record reproduction apparatuses and methods, and relates to data structures. BACKGROUND ART [0002] There are various types of multi-channel audio data, such as 2 channels , 3 channels, 4 channels, 5 channels, and 5.1 channels for a general use. Further multi-channel audio data such as more channels are also presented for a theater use or a movie theater use. [0003] In a conventional DVD, for example, based on a DVD audio standard as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-11546, it is possible to record such multi-channel audio data. For example, it is possible to record Lf (Left Front) channel audio data for a left front speaker, Rf (Right Front) channel audio da...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention aims to solve the problem of limited flexibility in speaker arrangements in conventional DVD and commercial use surround systems. The invention provides an information record medium, apparatus, and method that can accommodate a variety of speaker arrangements and record multi-channel audio data. The invention includes a generating device for reproduction control information with channel assignment information, a first recording device for recording the control information, and a second recording device for recording the audio data. The invention also includes a reading device for reading the control information and audio data from the information record medium, an identifying device for identifying channels of the audio data, and a reproducing device for reproducing the audio data. The invention provides a more flexible and efficient solution for recording and playing multi-channel audio data.

Problems solved by technology

For this, it is impossible to record or reproduce multi-channel audio data corresponding to a speaker arrangement different from a speaker arrangement defined as a format standard.

In the conventional DVD mentioned above, it is impossible to record multi-channel audio data corresponding to such a three dimensional (3D) speaker arrangement or complicated two dimensional (2D) speaker arrangement.

Nevertheless, it is very difficult in practice, because the channel assignment modes, which exponentially increase, must be defined in advance in order to handle completely the variety of speaker arrangements.

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